Table 2.
Sample of Video Production Software Available to Beginners
| Program | Compatible Operating System | Single-Take Option? | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iMovie | iOS, macOS | No | Editing capable. Free with purchase of Mac or iPad, a “drag and drop”-based editing software. Features include video trimming, split-screen, audio editing, premade transitions, and image effects |
| Screencast-O-Matic | Windows, iOS, macOS | Yes | Free version is the “single take” option that records screen and/or webcast. You can trim the video but no other editing is available. Monthly subscription includes expanded features with a wide variety of editing capabilities. Directly add text, shapes, or overlays, splice recordings, video overlays, and picture-in-picture |
| Filmora from Wondershare | Windows, macOS | Yes | Editing capable. Free software, meant for beginners, with a “drag and drop”-based editing software interface. Features include video trimming, audio editing, premade transitions, and video effects |
| FilmoraGo from Wondershare | iOS, Android | Yes | Editing capable. Free phone app, with in-app purchases, that allows you to shoot and edit videos on the go. Excellent for filming on the go, particularly for shorter videos that require minimal effects or splicing |
| OpenShot | Windows, macOS, Linux | No | Editing capable. Free open-source video editing tool with “drag and drop” interface with basic video-editing capabilities (resizing, trimming, scaling, and rotation) with audio editing, watermarks, and customizable title cards |
| Lightworks | Windows, macOS, Linux | No | Editing capable. Free version available with basic editing features. Simple interface aimed at beginners, although some find the interface more complicated than other options listed. Users can easily trim video clips and edit audio, and it has some preset video effects in the free version |
| Shotcut | Windows, macOS, Linux | No | Editing capable. A free open-source video-editing platform. “Drag and drop” editing that accommodates multiple video and audio layers. Has advanced tools available |
| Camtasia | Windows, macOS | Yes | Editing capable. For-purchase video editing that allows incorporation of quizzes, loops of content, editing of audio and video, transitions, and simple animations |
| Aftereffects and Premiere Pro | Windows, macOS | No | Editing capable. Available as part of Adobe Creative Cloud—both are video-editing software used by professionals for creation of videos. Significant capabilities, but may be difficult to learn at first. As part of Adobe Cloud, provides access to many different stock photos |
| Playposit | Windows, macOS, Linux | No | Editing capable. Works with videos as “overlay” to “pause” videos to present participants with questions, multiple choice, multiselect, and short answer. Allows creation of video loops based on answers from participants |